D&D (2024) Ranger playtest discussion

[Branduil]

There's a reason they dropped the Favored Enemy mechanic, and it's the same reason they dropped the "Rogue can't Sneak Attack the Undead or Constructs" mechanic from previous editions: it's not fun for players to say "well, maybe I'll get to do the cool defining feature of my class tomorrow." It feels especially unfair when spellcasters get to do cool stuff pretty much no matter what.

 

[fluffybunbunkittens]

But wasn't choosing giant an implicit deal with the DM to include them into adventure/campaign building?

A mechanic that rests entirely on DM goodwill, is not a good mechanic. Nor is it fair to put that pressure on the DM, who has a lot of other stuff to worry about already, let alone giants-to-other-critters ratio.

 

[fluffybunbunkittens]

Commanding your pet as a bonus action works pretty well and works even better now that you can actually kind of play Drizzt (because Dual Wielding doesn't take a bonus action anymore).

It's the TWF and Hunter's Mark changes that make it a bit hard to imagine they would add a bonus action beast attack to it... Which would not be a problem if they weren't building the whole class around Hunter's Mark, yet here we are.

 

[Minigiant]

There's a reason they dropped the Favored Enemy mechanic, and it's the same reason they dropped the "Rogue can't Sneak Attack the Undead or Constructs" mechanic from previous editions: it's not fun for players to say "well, maybe I'll get to do the cool defining feature of my class tomorrow." It feels especially unfair when spellcasters get to do cool stuff pretty much no matter what.

They could have changed Favored Enemy to work all the time and slightly better vs enemies.
They could have changed Favored Enemy to Hunter's Prey features.
They could have made Favored Enemy automatic spells known appropriate to each enemy and terrain like Primal Awareness.

Nope. Boring concentration-less Hunter's Mark that still costs spell slots.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Nope. Boring concentration-less Hunter's Mark that still costs spell slots.

When they tested concetration free hunter's mark for Tasha, and they backpaddeled, a lot of people were very angry with wotc...

Seems thay can't please everyone. Suprise.

 

[Yaarel]

I am happy to see the Ranger spellcast at level 1. Cantrips too!

I hope the Paladin will do so also, using the same spell table.

 

[Yaarel]

This is the first version of "Favored Enemy" that feels ethically ok.

 

[James Gasik]

Because all of them get maneuvers by default as of the playtest rules of November 2022..

Well that's something then. But it still feels like the Ranger chassis is better overall. No heavy armor, but oh no, I have to have Dex 14 to have one less AC than full plate. I get better skills and magic? And a fighting style and real weapons? Where's the down side?

 

[Edwin Suijkerbuijk]

I have not read the whole thread but when it comes to the rangers Foe Slayer ability I am convinced 2d6 is preferable over the current 1d10.

2d6 is psychologically more satisfying then 1d10.
If you roll up to 5 on the d10 you might think you could have done better with my d6.
But if you roll 2d6 you know that the damage of the 2nd d6 is damage you would not have done if you rolled just 1 dice.

 

[Mephista]

My circle's reaction:
"I like the rogue.
I love the ranger."